§ 113. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that many British personnel are still suffering hardship consequent on action in Egypt in 1951 and in 1956; and what steps he intends to take in the matter.
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§ Mr. Ian HarveyThe Anglo-Egyptian Resettlement Board was set up to deal with cases of hardship amongst those who left Egypt as a result of the events of last autumn. It has assisted many of these unfortunate people for whom we have great sympathy. The Board makes pension payments, including arrears, for those whose Egyptian pensions were cut off; it pays maintenance allowances in case of hardship, and makesex gratia loans against personal assets in Egypt; it also pays special educational allowances. The position of the former British officials of the Egyptian Government dismissed in 1951, to whom I assume the hon. Member's Question refers, was fully explained in reply to Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) and the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) on 30th October. These officials too are entitled to apply for relief in case of hardship to the Resettlement Board.
At present Her Majesty's Government are again attempting in the Anglo-Egyptian financial talks, which were resumed on 9th October, to obtain the desequestration of British property in Egypt and the lifting of restrictive legislation against British subjects and assets.
§ Mr. Goughasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the plight of the former British officials of the Egyptian Government; and if he is now prepared to make a statement regarding their claims for compensation.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyI have nothing to add to the replies given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) and the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds).